Anti-inflammatory and Wound Healing Activities of Aloe vera, Honey and Milk Ointment on Second-Degree Burns in Rats

The aim of the present study was morphological and morphometric investigation of burn healing impacts of an honey, milk, and Aloe vera (HMA) ointment on experimentally induced second-degree burns, to approve the medicinal basis of its use in Iranian traditional medicine. A total of 21 male Albino rats weighing 200 to 300 g were divided into 3 groups of 7, including (1) control group, (2) positive control group, and (3) the treatment group that were treated with eucerin, silver sulfadiazine 3% and HMA ointment 5% respectively. After anesthetizing, the second-degree burns (1 cm2 areas) were made on the back of the animals using a digital controlled hot plaque, and each group was treated topically, based on the time scheduled. Then, skin punch biopsies were obtained on the 1st, 14th, and 28th days of post–burn induction; processed; and stained using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome methods. The results showed that HMA ointment induces cell proliferation, increasing the wound closure rate, blood vessel counts, and collagen fiber density in treated animals. It also reduced the wound secretions, inflammation, and scar formation. According to the obtained morphological, morphometric results, we concluded that the traditional HMA ointment, which is rich in therapeutic biomaterials and minerals, has multiple healing effects on burn wounds in rats. Keywords burn, wound healing, biomaterial, morphometri

The Cytotoxic Effects of Testosterone on Gastric Cancer Cell Line (AGS) and Evaluation of Caspase-3, -8, and -9 Activity

Background and Objectives: Various studies have shown that sex steroids affect cancer cells at cellular and molecular level. In this study, the anti-proliferation effects of testosterone, was investigated on gastric cancer cell line (AGS) and activity level of caspase-3, -8 and -9, was evaluated.   Methods: In this laboratory experimental study, AGS cell line, were randomly divided into control group (no exposure to hormone) and groups received testosterone (at concentrations 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10mg/ml). The cytotoxic effect of the extract was measured using MTT assay method. Caspase-3, -8 and -9 activity level was also evaluated using ELISA method. The data were statistically analyzed between groups using one way ANOVA and student’s t-test.   Results: Testosterone at the concentrations of 0.1 and 1mg/mL significantly reduced the viability of AGS cells compared to the control group (p<0.001). Exposure of gastric cancer cells to 1mg/mL of testosterone significantly increased the activity level of caspase-3 (p<0.001) and -9 (p<0.05) as compared to the control group, but caused no significant change in the activity level of caspase-8. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that testosterone can exert cytotoxic effects on AGS cell line, which this effect is at least partly mediated by caspase-3 and -9

The Effect of Progesterone on the Viability of MCF-7 Cell Line and Evaluation of Expression of P53, BAX and BCL-2 Genes

Background and Objectives: Researches have shown that progesterone influences the viability of breast cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of progesterone on the viability of MCF-7 cell line and evaluation of Expression level of P53, Bax, and Bcl-2 Genes.   Methods: In this laboratory-experimental study, MCF-7 cells were purchased from Pasture institute and divided into control group and the group received progesterone in the concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10mg/mL. The viability of the cells was assessed using MTT assay. The relative expression level of P53, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes was investigated by Real Time PCR technique. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test.   Results: Exposure to 10mg/ml of progesterone resulted in decreased viability of MCF-7 cells compared to the control group (p<0.001). However, exposure to 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1mg/ml of progesterone did not significantly alter the viability of the MCF-7 cells, as compared to the control group. The expression level of P53 and Bax genes significantly increased in MCF-7 cells exposed to the concentration 2.5mg/ml of progesterone compared to the control group (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively), but, the expression level of Bcl-2 gene significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.001).   Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that high concentration of progesterone reduces the viability of MCF-7 cells and the cytotoxic effect of progesterone on MCF-7 cells is performed by induction of Bax dependent apoptosis and increased expression level of P53 tumor suppressor gene. Accordingly, progesterone is important in the treatment of breast cancer

The Association of Apolipoprotein A1 Polymorphisms with Diabetes and Hypertension in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease in Fars Province

Abstract Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disorder, which remains asymptomatic for many years. Genetic and environmental factors are involved to this disease. In the past years , the role of apolipoproteins and their polymorphisms has been identified in the diseases.The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between gene polymorphisms of apolipoprotein A1 with diabetes, hypertension and cigarette smoking in CAD sufferers in Fars province. Materials and Methods: This study evaluates the promoterregion polymorphisms up to intron 2 of APOA1 genes in 75 CAD cases and 75 controls. The method used to determine these polymorphisms was PCR sequencing. This case-control study was performed by odds ratio (OR, with a confidence interval of 0.95) to reveal the association of these polymorphisms with hypertension, diabetes and smoking in CAD patients. Results: Four polymorphisms were identified in this area. The genotypes of AA in 12718466, GA in rs 670, TC in rs5070 and CC in rs 5069 had the highest frequency in all patient groups and controls. There was a significant association in Rs12718466 between control group with diabetic group (p=0.033). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that diabetes, hypertension and cigarette smoking had no effects in initiation and aggravation of CAD